Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

Everol 'Blackie' Christian (centre), proprietor of the Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant in Alligator Pond, is commended by William Mahfood (left), managing director of the WISYNCO Group of Companies - owners of title sponsors Bigga - and Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of agriculture. - Photo by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has said he would recommend that the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica nominate the proprietor of the Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant as one of the job creators in Jamaica.

Everol 'Blackie' Christian, founder and manager of the restaurant which sits on the border of St Elizabeth and Manchester, employs about 50 persons. For that reason, Tufton believes he deserves to be recognised nationally.

"I am going to make a call to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica to nominate Blackie as one of the job creators in Jamaica. I believe if it were not for this establishment, these persons would not have a job.

"I believe he is the largest employer in Alligator Pond, which means the entire community is benefiting," said Tufton.

He has commended Christian for the concept of establishing the Little Ochie eatery and its seafood carnival.

Christian has been operating the Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant for the past 18 years.

100 per cent Jamaican

Tufton was giving the main address at the Bigga Little Ochie Seafood Carnival held at the venue on Sunday. The agriculture minister seized the opportunity to laud the organisers and participants for an event which showcased goods and services which were 100 per cent Jamaican.

"No foreign imported goods whatsoever. What we see is all local layout of goods and services and I am pleased to see this," said Tufton.

"Seeing everything produced locally is an indication that the Jamaican formula works. This demonstrates that the Jamaican spirit is alive and well," he said, adding that in spite of our challenges, Jamaica has tremendous potential.

The one-day food festival was sponsored by The Gleaner and Bigga Soft Drink, a subsidiary of the WISYNCO Group of Companies and Supreme Ventures, among others.

Biggest sponsorship

Managing director of WISYNCO, William Mahfood, said his company had been the title sponsor of the festival for the last five years, but emphasised that the 2008 edition had garnered the biggest sponsorship ever.

While not disclosing the total sum, he said, "It is a significant contribution. Our sponsorship is in line with any major local event."